Chinese Startups With Drones, Robots, VR Headsets Take The Spotlight At CES

Not that long ago, China tech was known primarily for low-cost, cheap knock-offs. Fast forward to today, and Chinese startups are moving to the forefront of technology innovation, as the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas just demonstrated.

It wasn't just that Chinese exhibitors took one-third of the floor displays -- up from one-fourth last year -- but that China's companies, both small and large, commanded attention for inventions and even a few breakthrough concepts. That's not dismissing the federal marshal's raid on the stand of a Chinese hoverboard maker over allegations that it ripped off the original electric skateboard at a lower cost.

All in all though, Chinese startups angled to take center stage in Vegas, debuting innovative drones, robots, virtual realty headsets, electric cars and smartphones -- and wowing the crowds.

For sure, China's entrepreneurs are becoming bolder and smarter about releasing new products. They are mastering public relations, hiring international managers, partnering with overseas companies, raising money from crowd funding campaigns and expanding to the U.S. They also are honing in on hardware type startups that can best showcase their ingenuity.

Take China's Letv as an example. At CES, the Chinese online video company that has been branching out into related products unveiled a smartphone that is the first to incorporate Qualcomm's next generation chip for wireless and fingertip technology. Letv also launched an Internet-equipped car console in concert with British luxury sports car maker Aston Martin.

Or take China's Ehang as another example. Its new drone captured the crowd's imagination for a helicopter-like designed drone that can fly high and fast (though will need to pass regulatory hurdles before launching or ever going mainstream). Ehang is not messing around. The Shenzhen-based startup has raised $50 million, and with venture capitalist Jenny Lee from GGV Capital as its lead investor, is staffing up its executive ranks with internationally experienced managers.

Not everything from China was quite so dazzling but still pretty intriguing. Virtual reality headset maker ANTRV launched two headsets for gamers, one that is bundled with Lenovo smartphones. 3D printing startup XYZprinting debuted low-cost printers with built-in Wifi and a 3D pen for drawing and creating various shapes. Then there was the build-it-yourself robotic toolkit made by Ubtech Robotics for constructing cute personalized robots connected to Bluetooth and meant for handling small tasks.

How about learning to play the piano? The Chinese startups had that one mastered too with The One Smart Phone that connects with a smartphone or tablet to help piano players learn new music.

Faraday Future backed by Letv's billionaire founder also was in the limelight for an innovative modular system for speeding up development of a wide range of electric vehicles.

Interestingly, innovations from these startups actually outshone China's giant tech companies although the titans too busily launched new products and plans. For instance, Lenovo aims to make Android devices with built-in Google spatial perception technology. Haier debuted a bunch of connected appliances, Hisense highlighted plans to release 25 new TVs this year while TCL got ready to bring out TV sets with the latest true-to-life imaging technology. And Huawei went all fashionable by launching elegant-looking Android smartwatches.

Rebecca A. Fannin is an editor, author and expert on global innovation and investment trends. She leads Silicon Dragon Ventures, a news, events and research group formed in 2010 to focus on covering the world’s leading startup hubs. Well known for its series of tech innovat...